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Meet the BHS Northumberland Team
There are currently around 550 members in Northumberland and membership is rising steadily.
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CHAIRMAN |
Mrs Hilary McKenna has been the County Chair for Northumberland for almost two years. She works full-time and lives with her husband Mick, near Gateshead and they have two grown up daughters who both ride.
Hilary, took up riding as a child, after doctors advised that she should take up some kind of sporting activity, in order to strengthen her weak muscles. Thanks to her parents, Hilary subsequently paid regular visits to a Riding School in Whickham and her connection with horses was formed.
Hilary no longer rides but was attracted to British Riding Clubs, where social activities, events and training were on offer. Hilary was Secretary of Sunniside Riding Club for thirteen years, but is perhaps best known to the equestrian community in her role as National Representative for Area 2 (North East).
Hilary loves: Parties and friends
and
hates: People who are persistently late
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MEETINGS
SECRETARY (VACANCY)
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EVENTS SECRETARY
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Vicki Pagan
joined the Northumberland committee in 2003, she works full-time as a Regeneration
Consultant and is currently studying for a Masters Degree in Management.
Vicki started riding at a local Riding School about fifteen years ago, she joined the Morpeth Hunt Pony Club and achieved B Test as well as competing on the Dressage and Horse Trials teams.
After Pony Club, Vicki joined the committee and has been involved in the organisation and running of events.
Vicki is pictured with her first horse ‘Axel’ who she
thoroughly enjoyed competing in horse trials. Sadly Vicki lost Axel through peritonitis
in 2005.
Vicki likes: Work, Horse Trials, Loud Music and Good Films and
dislikes: Travelling, Hot Days and Rude People.
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TREASURER |
Mr Michael Rae was born in Cheshire and spent his early years there. He has ridden on and off since childhood.
Michael came back to regular riding about ten years ago when he took early retirement and started exercising other people’s horses on weekdays.
Michael now owns ‘Sam’, a ten-year old 17.2 hh gelding and they are out together most mornings. Michael say’s “we are learning to grow old disgracefully together”!
Michael has been a member of the BSJA since the 1970’s and in that time he has competed, been an Area 12 committee member and is currently a judge.
Michael has organised the showjumping section at Hexham Horse Trials for a number of years and was persuaded to join the BHS Northumberland committee in 1999. He became Treasurer soon after.
Michael likes: Animals and Country life
and
dislikes: Writing resumes (so thanks for this one Michael) and decorating!
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COUNTY
AND REGIONAL ACCESS OFFICER
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Sue Rogers was brought up on the Surrey/Sussex border but moved North many years ago. Sue started riding at age seven and was fortunate to have her own pony by was a member of the local Pony Club and hunted with the Surrey Union - she treasures fond memories of cantering her pony across what is now Gatwick airport.
With no transport, Sue hacked everywhere. Maps were finally discovered - she now cannot live without them - and Sue saw the draft Definitive Map for her parish in the local PO window way back in 1951!! She checked at that time that she knew every bridleway on it.
Sue researched and planned her first long-distance route at about age 14 but had to give up riding when she married and children arrived. Sue then took up orienteering - which satisfied her insatiable love of maps and her desire to keep fit.
An article in a newspaper, triggered an interest in Endurance Riding and following the purchase of a horse and a trailer, Sue has never looked back.
Sue loves: Exploring new areas of remote country and her current equine partner - a pure arab called Gold Aramis "quite the nicest horse I have ever known"
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COUNTY ROAD SAFETY OFFICER |
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Leigh Belbin is a BHS Qualified Intermediate Instructor and has
been riding and working with horses most of her life. Leigh
is the proprietor and chief instructor of Murton Equestrian Centre,
she has worked her way up through the Pony Club, Riding club
and BHS examination systems. Leigh has competed in horse
trials for a number of years and has recently left a lecturing
post in Equine studies at a local college to concentrate on
starting her own business.
Likes: horses (obviously) and eating
out.
Dislikes : football
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COUNTY WELFARE
OFFICER |
Mrs Jan Grant is Northumberland born and bred and lives with her husband, two sons and six ponies at East Heddon on the Wall.
Jan first fell in love with horses when she met the local Rag and Bone pony as a child. She then learned to ride at Ted Heslop’s in Heddon on the Wall and although never had the chance to have her own pony, Jan would ride for other people and cared for three donkeys too.
At 18, Jan bought her own horse and joined Newcastle Riding Club, where she learned a great deal from both the fantastic training on offer and fellow RC members. Jan also competed in affiliated Dressage.
Then, her two sons arrived and a passion developed for the rare-breeds listed Dartmoor Ponies and then Highland Ponies too.
Jan still enjoys Showing and Pleasure Rides with her eldest son Christopher and one of her proudest moments was in November 2004, when Christopher won the National Performance Award with his 5-year old Highland Pony, ‘Lambrigg Black Jack’.
Jan has been a BHS member for thirty years but has only recently joined the Northumberland Committee as Welfare Officer.
Jan loves: Being Outdoors and Schooling young ponies
and
hates: Reality TV and peppers
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DISTRICT WELFARE REPRESENTATIVE (Alnwick)
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Karen Nelson is 33 years old and married to a policeman in the RAF. They have three children.
It is unfortunately necessary for Karen to move house regularly, because of her husband's work commitments - however, she has been lucky enough to stay near Alnwick for the last 3 years.
Karen worked with horses from leaving school and after completing a YT scheme and a Diploma in Horse Management, she joined the Metropolitan Police Force.
Karen had not gone near a horse since her late teens until starting a Higher National Diploma in Equine Management last year.
Karen likes: Swimming, Flower Arranging and walking her two dogs
and
Dislikes: Sand and lolly sticks!
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DISTRICT WELFARE REPRESENTATIVE (North Tyneside and Newcastle)
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Linda Graham is single and lives near Newcastle with her disabled brother. Linda stables her latest pony (a Highland gelding called Glenedin Darcy) locally. Linda also has a house rabbit and cats at the stables.
Linda's interest in horses started when she began looking after
a hunter for someone whilst studying for A-Levels – she was taught to
ride in return. Unusually, Linda won sufficient money to buy
her first horse in a 'Pedigree Chum' competition (not universally
considered to be the horse lovers' friend!). She then joined
Newcastle Riding Club and was Secretary for nearly a decade.
Linda retired from the Fire Service in 2004 after 30 years service and is now studying Occupational Therapy at Northumbria University.
Linda likes: The mountains and rivers of the Canadian Rockies, being outdoors and spending time around horses.
and dislikes: Shopping - particularly having to stand in queues and bullies.
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DISTRICT WELFARE REPRESENTATIVE (North Tyneside and Whitley Bay)
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Sharon Nelson, pictured here with 'Sonny', is originally from Northumberland, but has lived in Africa and the Middle East before returning to the UK.
Sharon developed a love of horses, whilst spending summer holidays with her aunt.
Sharon works part-time at a Bank and is also studying for an HND in Equine Management. She has two children and her own horse 'Miss Dimeena', who she hopes to compete with soon.
Sharon likes: Reading, Salsa lessons and the Cinema
and
Dislikes: Speed cameras and pedantic people.
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ACCESS OFFICER (City of Newcastle and North Tyneside)
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Mrs Kathy Atkinson
Kathy Atkinson is originally from Yorkshire but has lived near Walbottle since 1970 with her husband David. Kathy, was brought up on a farm and has therefore been around horses all her life.
Kathy's interest in bridleways was stirred when she noticed that tracks around Newcastle were being closed. Kathy called the BHS and the rest is history. Kathy concentrates her efforts on dealing with the loss of riding routes in the urban fringe - she has enjoyed much success! Kathy owns a gelding, 'Cyrus', who she rides regularly for pleasure.
Kathy loves:
and dislikes:
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ACCESS OFFICER
(Tynedale)
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Mrs Jean Simpson
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ACCESS OFFICER (Castle Morpeth)
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Mrs Gill Featonby
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